Work

Pd32-12 Understanding the Effect of the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program on Surgical Readmissions

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: to further evaluate bone scan findings.The current burden of these downstream procedures is unknown.We aim to quantify the use of downstream procedures following staging bone scans in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer.METHODS: Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare data, we identified 4404 patients diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer from 2004-2011.We further identified those who underwent a bone scan prior to treatment within 6 months of diagnosis.Using outpatient and carrier claims files, we determined the proportion of patients who underwent a subsequent x-ray, CT, MRI, and/or bone biopsy within 3 months of the bone scan and prior to treatment.RESULTS: Among patients diagnosed with muscle-invasive bladder cancer during the study period, 1373 (31%) were identified as having completed a staging bone scan.Overall, 231 patients (17%) received downstream bone-specific x-rays, 340 patients (25%) received bone-specific CTs, and 103 patients (8%) received bone-specific MRIs.The use of bone biopsy was rare (n ¼ 17; 1%).CONCLUSIONS: Use of bone scan in the staging of muscleinvasive bladder cancer often results in the need for additional downstream imaging.The cost burden of this downstream imaging highlights a potential disadvantage of the routine use of this staging modality.

Source: The Journal of Urology

DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2017.02.1403